The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - How much of an advantage was the garand ?.

Slamfire · September 25, 2008, 10:30 AM

Everyone needs to read : "Shots fired in Anger", by John George. http://www.amazon.com/Shots-fired-an.../dp/093599842X

Mr. George was a combat infantryman in the Pacific. He was a competitive shooter before the war, and had very interesting observations on US and Japanese weapons.

The bottom line from a Dogface’s viewpoint, having a Garand made a big difference. The Japanese service rifle (vintage term was “Japs”) was a bolt action.

The Garand was not the only weapon out there. The BAR was beloved; the Nambu light was feared. Everyone wanted more fire power.

In the big picture, it is hard to say that any one weapon system was the toppling point. I think 80% of the combat deaths in WWII were due to artillery, so it would be hard to say that any small arm was the deciding factor.

But if I were in that hole, preparing to leave that hole, or waiting on the next Banzai charge, I sure as heck would prefer a Garand to a bolt action. Any day.

September 25, 2008, 10:30 AM	#43
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	Everyone needs to read : "Shots fired in Anger", by John George. http://www.amazon.com/Shots-fired-an.../dp/093599842X Mr. George was a combat infantryman in the Pacific. He was a competitive shooter before the war, and had very interesting observations on US and Japanese weapons. The bottom line from a Dogface’s viewpoint, having a Garand made a big difference. The Japanese service rifle (vintage term was “Japs”) was a bolt action. The Garand was not the only weapon out there. The BAR was beloved; the Nambu light was feared. Everyone wanted more fire power. In the big picture, it is hard to say that any one weapon system was the toppling point. I think 80% of the combat deaths in WWII were due to artillery, so it would be hard to say that any small arm was the deciding factor. But if I were in that hole, preparing to leave that hole, or waiting on the next Banzai charge, I sure as heck would prefer a Garand to a bolt action. Any day.